Chapter 688 (1/2)
Ever since Lu Yao married into the family, Feng Yu Heng did not go over the Yao family’s side very often. If there was a matter, she would have Yao Xian come out on his own to discuss it. Put plainly, no matter how good the Yao family was, her only connection to them was seeing them a few times. There was no true support of being related. With Lu Yao’s matter added on top, it left both sides feeling awkward when meeting, thus it was better to not meet.
But today, Xu shi stood there and waved to her. To act as though she did not see would be a little hard to do. Feng Yu Heng could only take a few steps in the direction of the Yao manor. Just as she began to move, Xu shi quickly rushed over toward her. There was a servant behind her, carrying a pile of things in her hands.
Feng Yu Heng invited Xu shi into the manor and went straight to the main hall. After being seated and having tea brought up, Xu shi finally said: “I wanted to come over first thing in the morning, but I heard the guards say that palace princess Wu Yang and her friends were currently in the manor as guests, thus I thought that it would not be good to interrupt and went back to wait for a bit.” She continued to look at Feng Yu Heng with affection. In addition to the former warmth and intimacy in her gaze, there was a bit of shame.
Feng Yu Heng saw her like this and sighed, taking the initiative to comfort her: “If aunty is like this because of the matter with eldest cousin’s wedding, there is no need. I never took it to heart. I can’t allow for our familiarity as family to disappear because of Lu Yao alone.”
“Hah! A-Heng is right.” Xu shi turned away and wiped away a tear. Only then did she sigh: “Speaking of, ever since Lu Yao married into the manor, you have never come to visit, and I am feeling saddened by it. Your other two aunts are always advising me to come and visit more often, but I keep feeling that I owe you. No matter what, I could not put aside my pride. A-Heng, if aunty knew that Lu family’s person would deliberately cause trouble, this wedding would have been canceled, even if I had to fall out with Shu’er.”
What she was talking about was the Lu family’s people framing Feng Yu Heng for murder; however, Feng Yu Heng did not wish to bring this up any further, only saying: “Regardless of the case, A-Heng is of the younger generation. Neglecting to come and visit is my mistake. How could I trouble aunty with coming to see me. The matter of that day has already passed. Let’s not bring it up again. As long as eldest cousin is able to live happily, and that matter is not twisted.” She paused for a moment then asked something that she had been worrying about: “That Lu Yao, has she caused any trouble in the manor?”
Xu shi thought for a bit then said: “Nothing major, she can be considered quite obedient. She is able to pay respects on time every day. When your grandfather is in, she will go to his side first to ask how he is before coming to see me. If your grandfather is not in, she will occasionally come and eat breakfast with me. Just a few days ago, I heard about her being unable to find a jade bracelet. She caused a fuss, saying that it was taken by a servant, and she beat the servants in the courtyard; however, it was found in one of her own boxes. She said that she misremembered, but it’s a pity for those servants in her courtyard. They were all beaten until they could not stand up. A-Heng, you don’t know this, but the Yao family does not have a custom of beating its servants as punishment. Even if there are bad servants, they would just be chased out of the manor. Over the past few years, father has been saying that everyone is equal. Even if someone committed a crime, they would be handled by the government, rather than be punished by their so-called masters. I never thought that Lu Yao would act so viciously despite looking so young and frail.”
Feng Yu Heng noticed the helpless dissatisfaction that Xu shi had toward Lu Yao, and she could not help but smile bitterly, “From one family to another family, adapting is not something that can be done in a short period of time. In this world, there is no family that teaches its children in the same way that the Yao family does. Aunty should not treat it too seriously. Give her a bit more time. Perhaps in half a year, she will be able to get used to the Yao family.”
Xu shi was a bit shocked, “A-Heng, are you speaking up for Lu Yao? You… don’t hate her?” Previously, there had been all manner of bad feelings between Lu Yao and Feng Yu Heng; however, she never thought that she would hear these words today.
Feng Yu Heng smiled bitterly, “Aunty, that would depend on what angle I’m responding from. If it’s separated from the Yao family, I definitely do not like Lu Yao as a person. But if the Yao family is added into the mix, A-Heng can only say that she is the one that eldest cousin likes. Whether she’s good or bad, it’s not something a cousin with a different surname can decide. What sort of life they can live will be up to their own fortune.”
Xu shi understood, “I understand what A-Heng is saying, but in my heart, I can’t get over this matter. I keep feeling that this daughter-in-law is not leading Shu’er down a good path. I have also thought that perhaps I have concerned myself too little with my sons, such that I don’t even know when Shu’er came to know Lu Yao. If I could have found out sooner, perhaps things would not have developed as it did. A-Heng, you don’t know this, but there is a matter… I…” Xu shi was a bit troubled and paused for a bit, but she still gritted her teeth and said: “On the day of the wedding, the granny from the palace came to inspect Lu Yao’s body. The result was that she was pure, and I let out a sigh of relief. But A-Heng, you must know that when they came to pay respects on the second morning, the blood on the sheets carried over by the servants was not blood from Lu Yao’s virginity.”
Feng Yu Heng was not surprised by this, only asking Xu shi: “How did aunty tell?”
“Hah.” Xu shi sighed and said: “For me to be able to marry into the Yao family, there is a bit of an origin. My childhood family’s father was also an imperial physician and worked under your grandfather. Your uncle and I were also acquainted, thus we were arranged to marry. My father is someone that knows medicine. Although I did not inherit the mantle, I know a bit of medicine. That blood… was clearly not right.”
Only then did Feng Yu Heng understand. She could not help but grieve for Lu Yao. To marry into this sort of scientific family. It’s also a pity that she worked so hard to put on such a play; however, her act had already been seen through.
“It’s fortunate that aunty is kind and honest, not exposing her openly.” Feng Yu Heng faintly said, “In truth, after all is said and done, since eldest cousin is able to accept this matter, it’s not something that we have much say in.”
Xu shi nodded, “That’s the reasoning. I am not arguing with her to give face to Shu’er, but just thinking about it makes me feel flustered. I’m troubled that a good child like Shu’er must suffer this grievance for nothing.” She sighed once more and reached up to wipe away some tears. Waving her hand, she did not continue with this topic. Instead, she had the servant carrying the pile of things hand it over to Feng Yu Heng: “After another two days, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival. Aunty knows that you will be participating in the banquet, thus I hurried to make a set of clothes for you. I also prepared a set of accessories. I know that this material will definitely be worse than what you have in your manor. Take a look. If you like it, just wear it. If you don’t like it, just leave it. It’s fine. Aunty just… just wanted to use this to come and speak to you.”